Smiling Men with Bad Reputations

Smiling Men with Bad Reputations is the 1971 solo debut album by Mike Heron of the Incredible String Band (ISB).

Smiling Men with Bad Reputations
Studio album by
Mike Heron
ReleasedApril 30, 1971
RecordedDecember 1970
StudioSound Techniques, Chelsea, London
GenreRock • folk • folk rock
Length45:39
LabelIsland UK
Elektra US
ProducerJoe Boyd
Mike Heron chronology
Smiling Men with Bad Reputations
(1971)		 Mike Heron's Reputation
(1975)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic

Listeners of The Incredible String Band can look here for what would be Heron's influence on future ISB albums. The trademark folk and Celtic style remained intact, but Heron added his own influences of progressive rock to the repertoire. This, more or less, was his attempt at creating a commercialized sound to his music. Tracks like "Feast of Stephen" are clear evidence that Heron desired to create rock-orientated pieces. Still, Heron had folk pieces with tracks like "Flowers of the Forest", with Richard Thompson on lead guitar. Heron's output would continue to show a trend in this direction for much of his solo career, and his remaining time with the ISB.[1]

"Warm Heart Pastry" finds Heron backed by Pete Townshend, Keith Moon of The Who, and Ronnie Lane of Small Faces (as Tommy & The Bijoux).

The 1991 reissue features two bonus tracks, with Jimmy Page guesting on "Lady Wonder" and Elton John on "Make No Mistake".[2]

Track listing

All tracks on the original album composed by Mike Heron.

  1. "Call Me Diamond"
  2. "Flowers of the Forest"
  3. "Audrey"
  4. "Brindaban"
  5. "Feast of Stephen"
  6. "Spirit Beautiful"
  7. "Warm Heart Pastry"
  8. "Beautiful Stranger"
  9. "No Turning Back"

Smiling Men with Bad Reputations was remastered and reissued in 2004 with two bonus tracks:

  1. "Make No Mistake" – 3:09
  2. "Lady Wonder" – 4:20

Personnel

References
  1. "Smiling Men with Bad Reputations". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  2. Smiling Men with Bad Reputations: Credits Discogs. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
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